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You are here: Inside Luther Seminary / Announcements / Passing of Stan Olson

Passing of Stan Olson

Posted on September 18, 2025

Stanley (Stan) Norris Olson died on September 12 at the age of 79. Born in Fort Dodge, Iowa, Stan lived his life with a deep commitment to faith, learning, and service. After completing studies at Waldorf College, Saint Olaf College, Luther Seminary, and Yale University, he served the church as parish pastor, seminary professor (teaching at Luther Seminary in the 1980s), bishop of the Southwestern Minnesota Synod, executive director for Vocation and Education for the ELCA, and president of both Wartburg Seminary and Trinity Seminary. In retirement, he remained active as a member of Grace University Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. A service will be held on September 20 at 1:00 p.m. CT at Central Lutheran in Minneapolis, visitation at 12:00 p.m.

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